Assignment 1: Compare and contrast these two perspectives. Are they contradictory or complimentary?

Take a newly-wed couple in search of furniture and household items for their new home. Brian is diligently looking for a set of nice cups for their daily morning coffee. He contemplates a burgundy square style, because that is his favorite color. James, who thinks one step ahead, states that the two of them need to decide on the color-matching of the whole kitchen and not only look at the cups. James knows, how important the cups are for a kitchen, he already presupposes that they need to be well-chosen, but he requires Brian to look at the situation in a broader sense and to see the cups in relation to the whole of the kitchen.

               What might seem like a rather random story is intended to be understood as an interactive way of illustration.  Comparing the two perspectives of Marilynne Robinson and Henry David Thoreau is not an easy task to undertake, considering their mindsets seem quite similar at the first glance.

                In “Walden” Henry David Thoreau writes about his experience of living on his own and providing for himself for two years and two months. While discussing rather practical issues on one side, he mostly establishes a broad opinion on multiple subjects in life. In the first chapter “Economy” Thoreau propagates a humble lifestyle in order to maintain contentment.

                In “Night Thoughts of a Baffled Humanist” Robinson wonders about life; its purpose, its character, and our role in it. She speaks for the significance of individual freedom but posits that this freedom only flourishes in the midst of something bigger. In order to obtain prosperity, it is indispensable to “respect, educate, inform and trust one another”.

                The initial little scenario with Brian and James is supposed to portray the contrast between Thoreau and Robinson in an exaggerated, interactive way. As James’ way of thinking enhances Brian’s thought, Robinson’s reflections can be seen as an addition to Thoreau’s rather simplistic direction. It can be assumed that Robinson would agree with Thoreau, but would not find his remarks sufficient, which is an explanation for why she insists on the interaction between individuals. It is an additional factor in the same equation. On the other hand, it is difficult to guess, if Thoreau would agree with Robinson. At least in “Walden”, he does not mention remotely close thoughts, besides having guests over at his house. He mostly focuses on himself and on thoughts about what an ideal human being consists of; what type of traits that human being is supposed to have and how life can work when you free yourself from materialistic thoughts and old habits.

                The two perspectives of Marilynne Robinson and Henry David Thoreau are not completely contradictory and at the same time they are not complimentary. It seems as if the big difference is the focus they put on different parts of the same entity, just like Brian focused on the cups, when James looked at the whole kitchen. Even though this image implies inferiority on Brian’s side this aspect should not be projected onto Thoreau. Both “Walden” and “Night Thoughts of a Baffled Humanist” are highly valuable and need to be examined separately in order to appreciate their full impact.